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Construction on 280 MW Mojave Solar Project ramps up

Construction on Abengoa’s 280 megawatt (MW) concentrated solar power (CSP) project in San Bernardino County, California is ramping up.

Over 1,000 direct and indirect jobs are expected to be created via the Mojave Solar Project.

Abengoa Solar

Work on the Mojave Solar Project is two months in. Already, says Abengoa, 24 contracts have been signed with 19 U.S. equipment suppliers. It adds that in total, over 80 percent of the equipment, supplies and services required to build the project will be sourced from the U.S.

Currently, 81 workers are on-site. However, Abengoa believes that over 1,000 direct and indirect jobs will be created via the project, which is scheduled to be online in 2014. When complete, it is expected to generate enough electricity to power around 54,000 average-sized households.

Ram Jack Solar Solutions is installing the solar foundations, while Sukut Construction is managing the entire construction process. Nathan Ritter, project manager commented, "The recent economic slowdown has impacted our business and ability to keep our employees working. The Mojave Solar Project will increase our business by about 15 percent for the 2012 fiscal year. During the project thus far, we have employed about 30 field construction professionals."

Spain-based Abengoa currently has 393 MW of solar in operation. However, it has a pipeline worth 1,010 MW across the world. The Mojave Solar Project plant will be Abengoa’s 16th CSP plant.